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Fulbright U.S Student Program Grant

Who is eligible?

American citizens who are graduating seniors, alumni and graduate students. Applicants must be in good health and typically demonstrate a proficiency in the language of the host country. Destination country should not be one with which the applicant has extensive experience; previous study-abroad semesters in the target country, however, are acceptable.

When is the Deadline?

Campus: Early SeptemberFulbright: Early to mid-October

Description

Applications are for either a research/study project or to act as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA). Tenure is for one year, non-renewable. Award amounts vary depending on the country, but typically cover travel, in-country medical coverage, possibly tuition and a living allowance. Consult the Fulbright web page for detailed country descriptions and requirements, and for award statistics.

How Do I Apply?

Meet with the Fulbright Program Advisor to discuss potential projects and the application process. In the case of most research grants, formal affiliation must be made with a host institution prior to submitting the application.

After the Marist Fellowship Committee reviews your application, there will be an on-campus interview. The committee will evaluate your application and provide feedback, and a Campus Committee Evaluation will be included with the application upon submission.

What's next?

The Institute of International Education convenes country or regional committees to screen and select applications. These National Screening Committees will recommend approximately two times as many applications as there are grants available; these semifinalist applications are forwardedfor consideration by the host country commissions. Semifinalists are notified in late January that their names have been sent to the country to which they applied. Subsequently, the host country embassy or Fulbright Commission will make the final selection of Fulbright recipients; finalists will be notified in late spring, typically around late March or April.

In 1945, Senator J. William Fulbright proposed legislation to create the Fulbright Program in an effort to foster mutual understanding among nations through cultural exchanges; the proposal was signed into law in 1946. He saw this as a step toward building an alternative to armed conflict. These awards are U.S. Information Agency grants and are administered by the Institute of International Education.

Study proposals may include university coursework, independent research, classroom teaching, or a combination of these. Each country has specifications regarding requirements and preferred applicant profiles. It is important to refer to the web site to review these specifications. Selection is made based on the student's academic record, language preparation, the feasibility of the proposed project, and personal qualifications. This is affected by the extent to which the applicant and the project will facilitate international understanding. For further information, refer to the Fulbright web site.